On Pointe

There is something timeless and ethereal about ballet. The gentle swirl of pink, from the tights to the tutus to the satin toe shoes; the emotion in every movement, from a hand raised in the air to a dazzling pirouette. Everything about this formalised form of dance that originated in Renaissance Italy and then spread to France embodies grace, elegance, and classic perfection.

It’s also an art form that breathes of exclusivity, privilege, and wealth, evoking a world that seems closed to those who cannot afford the expensive lessons or the dancewear—leotards, tights, tutus, cardigans, ballet slippers—or those who simply aren’t exposed to ballet and the classical music that frequently accompanies it.

Sofia Zobel Elizalde, herself a ballet dancer whose first lead role was that of Clara in the CCP Dance Company’s production of back when she